Visual literacy and reader engagement: Is a graphic novel a “real” book?

Is a graphic novel a ‘real book’?

Matt Stanton

We look down at what our child is reading expecting to see a page full of words only to discover that it’s actually covered in illustrations. Didn’t we want them to read a novel? This looks like a comic. They seem to be enjoying it, but is that all that matters?

How should we think about graphic novels?

Those in the book world know that graphic novels are experiencing somewhat of a resurgence in 2020. Bookstores are now devoting whole shelving sections to the genre, publishing houses are hiring dedicated graphic novel editors and even classic book series are being revived in graphic novel form.

I feel a little nostalgic. When I was at school I remember the surge of students in the library as we tried to borrow Tintin mysteries or Asterix & Obelix graphic novels. I can remember how satisfying those stories were to read. I didn’t understand why that was, but I think I do now.

In the last couple of years, as I’ve travelled with my own child on her reading journey, I’ve begun to appreciate the gift that graphic novels are to young readers.

Like all children, the early years of my daughter’s reading were dominated by picture books. As we enjoyed them together, these beautiful, funny and often sophisticated picture books taught her that reading is more than just the words on a page. She learnt that there’s a visual literacy to decode too. There are characters in some picture books that never appear in the text. There are subversions and subplots which are to be understood visually rather than read. There are facial expressions that help us understand nuances in dialogue and sometimes the visual context of a piece of writing changes its meaning entirely. This is the rich and beautiful world of story.

As she got older she began to search for more substantive stories. She wanted more complex characters and longer narratives and so the transition to chapter books began. It was there that she experienced what most young readers do – in order to get more story she must sacrifice the visual literacy component. The illustrations fade into the background.

I wonder how many children lose their love of reading at this moment?

This is exactly where graphic novels have a powerful and exciting role to play. They maintain the visual literacy cues that bring so much joy to the reading experience while offering a more substantive story.

These are not comic strips or gag books. My own graphic novel, The Odds, explores themes of loneliness, social anxiety, imagination, grief, and identity (as well as humour) just like a novel. In fact, you could argue some graphic novels are much more layered and complex than many stories without pictures.

So yes, a graphic novel is absolutely a real book. It’s an incredibly rich and important form of reading and as a parent, I’m a believer. Because let’s not forget that our children are growing up in an incredibly visual world. I want my daughter to continue to stretch the muscle that is her visual literacy.

Seeing her read a graphic novel is perfect for that.